Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections

Stockton, CA 95211

Shelf location: For current information on the location of these
materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Language:
English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Richard Coke Wood Papers, Mss70, Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Biography

Richard Coke Wood (1905-1979), California historian, author, teacher, was born in
Oklahoma and was raised in Owens Valley, California. He attended the University of
Hawaii, College of the Pacific (B.A. 1932, M.A. 1934), and the University of Southern
California (Ph.D., 1950). A high school teacher in the 1930's, he developed a lasting
interest in Mother Lode history while recovering from tuberculosis at the Bret Harte
Sanitarium in Murphys (1938-1941). During his career he held many administrative and
teaching positions, including that of proprieter of the Old Timers Museum in Murphys (ca.
1949-1978); Education Director, Bret Harte Sanitarium (1941-1950); Instructor and
Chairman of the Social Sciences Division at Stockton and San Joaquin Delta College
(1950-1971); holder of the Rockwell D. Hunt Chair in California History at the University
of the Pacific (1951-1971); and, Director of the Pacific Center for Western Historical
Studies (1976).

His writings include Murphys, Queen of the Sierra (1949); Calaveras, Land of Skulls
(1957); The California Story (co-author, 1958); Stockton Album Through the Years
(co-author, 1959); Stockton Memories (co-author, 1977); and, Mother Lode Memories
(co-author, 1979). His many awards and honors include: Award of Merit, California
Historical Society (1965); and the honorary title, "Mr. California," California State
Legislature (1969).

Scope and Content

The Coke Wood papers contain biographical material, including diaries, scrapbooks and
photographs, as well as the writings and teaching materials of Richard Coke Wood
(1930-1978).